as in rebellion
refusal to obey laws as a way of forcing the government to do or change something
In an act of civil disobedience, the family sent its tax money to an antiwar organization. A student organization is encouraging civil disobedience as a way to get the university to change its policies.
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Recent Examples of civil disobedience
However, labor strikes and civil disobedience actions began to challenge their dominance.
—
Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
In a statement, the organization Climate Rights International expressed concerns that the charging and sentencing of the four activists are part of a broader pattern of harsh charging and sentencing for acts of civil disobedience.
—Zack Budryk, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
In Montgomery Alabama, a stand alone prison camp that is usually pretty laid back, prisoners decided on a bit of civil disobedience and opted to skip eating in the dining hall.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Acts of digital civil disobedience are increasingly being targeted and prosecuted not as protest but as terrorism.
—Taylor Owen, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2015
See all Example Sentences for civil disobedience 
Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
In a statement, the organization Climate Rights International expressed concerns that the charging and sentencing of the four activists are part of a broader pattern of harsh charging and sentencing for acts of civil disobedience.
—Zack Budryk, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
In Montgomery Alabama, a stand alone prison camp that is usually pretty laid back, prisoners decided on a bit of civil disobedience and opted to skip eating in the dining hall.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Acts of digital civil disobedience are increasingly being targeted and prosecuted not as protest but as terrorism.
—Taylor Owen, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2015
See all Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
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Some see hope in Trump’s return Jan. 19, 2025 Separately, law enforcement authorities are investigating whether Yoon and others committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes in connection with the martial law decree.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
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The four are made to watch a corporate propaganda video (voiced by Keanu Reeves), which depicts their season 1 rebellion in a positive light, a protest that improved the company for the better.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump might even inadvertently save the Canadian liberals, who are on the precipice of getting blown out of the water in the upcoming federal election, by rallying Canadians around the flag in defiance of their unruly downstairs neighbors.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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But over the last decade, the category has developed into a respectable safe haven for high-quality wines that exist in defiance of regional standards or regulations.—
Anna Lee C. Iijima,
Bon Appétit,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In addition, state-level politicians, including attorneys general and governors, have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to challenge federal overreach through litigation and noncooperation.—
Victor Menaldo,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
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The law was implemented in 2018 and effectively legalized noncooperation between state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration officials.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
18 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near civil disobedience
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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